[Archaeology Magazine]The Archaeologists, National Historical Museums
Posted on 11/02/2024 6:26:22 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
While digging to find an ancient settlement in southern Sweden, archaeologists made a completely unexpected discovery: an enormous Viking Age cemetery with more than 100 graves and several ship-shaped mounds...
The cemetery was initially found in 2017 in the village of Tvååker, in southwestern Sweden, ahead of planned road construction. Although Tvååker is mentioned in historical sagas, the aboveground remains of this particular cemetery were lost to time until recently.
"The problem is that the land has been plowed and leveled to create pastures," Nordin said, "so all the occupation levels, above-ground remains, and burials have been plowed to pieces."
During excavations carried out from 2017 to 2019, archaeologists located the remains of 139 graves, many of which included human and animal bones, metal accessories and ceramic vessels, in addition to large stones that were strategically placed around several graves in the shape of a boat.
One burial was particularly well appointed, according to Nordin. "In the grave were 17 vessels, human and animal bones, as well as woven weights and iron arrowheads," she said. "We have interpreted the square pit as a construction to help create good airflow for a [cremation] pyre above ground."...
Archaeologists also discovered a fragment of a silver coin from Arabia, which they dated to between 795 and 806, giving a general time frame for the burial ground...
However, the settlement associated with the cemetery has not been found yet.
(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...
[Archaeology Magazine]The Archaeologists, National Historical Museums
Thanks, SunkenCiv!
My pleasure.
TXnMA
My pleasure!
Some of my Swedish G-grandparents came from small communities north and inland from Tvååker, some on family family farms held since the 1400s. (The soldiering side of that family was scattered all over Sweden, Germany, and Lithuania.)
1400s, wow!
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